Fujifilm X100S Review

When Fujifilm announced its FinePix X100 retro-styled compact at Photokina 2010, it instantly captured the imagination of serious photographers. With its fixed 23mm F2 lens and SLR-sized APS-C sensor, it offered outstanding image quality, while its 'traditional' dial-based handling and innovative optical/electronic 'hybrid' viewfinder gave a shooting experience reminiscent of rangefinder cameras. On launch its firmware was riddled with frustrating bugs and quirks, but a series of updates transformed it into a serious photographic tool. Certain flaws remained, apparently too deeply embedded into the hardware to be fixable, but despite this, it counts as something of a cult classic.

The X100S sees Fujifilm revisiting the concept, but while the external design is essentially unchanged, it's a very different camera inside. It uses a 16.3MP X-Trans CMOS sensor similar to that seen in the interchangeable lens X-Pro1 and X-E1 models, but now with on-chip phase detection promising much-improved autofocus speed. This is supported by a new processor, the 'EXR Processor II', which includes a new 'Lens Modulation Optimizer' function. According to Fujifilm this 'overcomes' lens aberrations such as diffraction and peripheral aberrations, and should give improved image quality at the largest and smallest apertures. The electronic viewfinder has been upgraded to a higher-resolution 2.35M dot display (from 1.44M dot); however this isn't the OLED unit used in the X-E1, but an LCD instead.

Two additional manual focus aids are available when using the EVF or LCD - a focus 'peaking' display that outlines in-focus elements, and an all-new 'Digital Split Image focusing' display that uses phase detection data from the sensor, and is designed to offer a similar experience to manual focus film cameras. In addition, the movement sensor on the manual focus ring has been upgraded to detect movement with greater precision - which Fujifilm says will make it more responsive.

The user interface gains all the improvements Fujifilm has made in its X-series cameras over the past few years, including an onscreen 'Q' menu to access major settings, and a much-improved tabbed menu system.

Aside from these headline features, Fujifilm is promising a whole host of smaller tweaks and improvements covering every aspect of the camera's design and operation - no fewer than 70 in total. Many of these address bugs and quirks highlighted by users and reviewers, demonstrating once again Fujifilm's laudable desire to listen to feedback and learn from it. Some controls have been subtly tweaked, movie mode is much improved, and small but important operability issues have been addressed.

Side-by-side with the Fujifilm X20

Here's the X100S side-by-side with the X20 that Fujifilm announced at the same time (we reviewed it earlier this year). The two cameras are very different beasts, of course, but share a lot of common features, and the family resemblance is obvious.

Here's the X100S alongside the co-announced X20 zoom compact. Both cameras feature X-Trans CMOS sensors with on-chip phase detection AF, optical viewfinders with detailed information overlays, and lots of external controls. Their on-screen user interfaces and menu systems are very similar too. The big difference is that the X20's fast (F2-2.8) 28-112mm equivalent zoom is coupled to a much smaller, 2/3"-type sensor.

Compared to Sony Cyber-shot RX1R

The X100S's most natural peer (forgetting the massive price difference) is Sony's RX1R, which offers a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor and a similar 35mm (equivalent) F2 lens as the X100S.

The X100S is slightly taller and wider, but on the plus side, it has a better-defined grip, and of course that unique Fujifilm built-in hybrid viewfinder. Given that the RX1R is packing a full-frame sensor inside it though, the Cyber-shot is impressively compact.

From behind, its the X100S's viewfinder that represents the main difference between the two cameras. The rear control cluster on both models is pretty standard, but the RX1R does have a larger display (which partly makes up for the lack of a finder).

From the top, it is very obvious just how big the RX1R's lens is compared to the almost pancake design of the Fujifilm's 23mm F2. Both cameras have manual aperture rings, and external exposure compensation dials, but the X100S also offers a manual shutter speed dial. The RX1R features an exposure mode dial, in the same position.

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Comments

I have a Canon 5D 1st serie, a great camera even if i don’t like big and heavy cams: they have great performances but for some situations it’s more useful a very small camera with a honest image quality. So I bought a Fujifilm X100S that was too big anyway although it had a great global quality. So I sold it and looking for a small camera with sensor of one inch at least, I read enthusiast reviews of Sony RX100.M3 that I bought. And it has a great body: small, light, handy, well positioned buttons, very ergonomic and so on. But, using it intensively, I found that there was no comparison between it’s image quality and Fuji’s. The image of Sony at 800ASA has a noise that Fuji doesn’t show at 1600ASA; and the sharpness of X100, at each aperture or all ASA value, is quite greater than RX100.M3. And these qualities can be seen by a child too… So I asked myself about the reliability of some reviews: which kind of instruments di they use and which procedures do they follow??? Regards

Sony now offer auto iso WITH exposure compensation in manual mode, at least on their a6000. I've also read that Canon and Nikon do that on some of their cameras. The wording in the last paragraph of page 6 here partly implies that you can only get that on Pentax cameras, which is not true (anymore?). Anyway Pentax deserve mention for having implemented that AT LEAST as far back as 2007. We're in 2014 and still complaining about the lack of Exp Comp in M/aISO on Olympus, Panasonic, Fuji, and others.

I'm an X100 user and a huge fan of that platform. IN fact, I've always been a Fuji fan because they march to a different drummer with so many innovative cameras, especially medium format and panoramics. Not into DSLRs due to bullk, weight and mirror slap. I just bought a new black X100S at what I consider a very attractive price ($450 below the original release price). Sold the X100 for half that. Let's say I'm not an early adopter. Next will be the X-T1 (or perhaps the X-Pro2, we'll see) with the 14 and 56 lenses and I'll be set. The 23 F/L will be satisfied with the X100S plus I'll have a second body just in case. The only reason I would consider a DSLR is to use the 24mm tilt-shift lenses but am hoping the DOF on the 14 will get me what I need for landscapes. If I need a 24mm Canikon tilt-shift that bad for a big trip, I can rent. Onward and upward Fuiji!

Hello! can anyone help me?? I purchased x100s about a week ago, I am still trying but I have to say I love it! there is just something is driving me a little crazy… the QUICK MENU, when I press Q button it won't open, it shows a little locker, it is locked! I think I have been through all settings menu but cannot find Q settings. Does anyone know how to unlock it? thank you in advance guys!!

Hi Lola, I'm answering though I guess you've worked it out by now! Someone else may find it useful ;-)Sounds like the command dial is locking the Q menu button; along with those controls surrounding the command button i.e. flash, white balance, macro and delete. At some point the central menu/ok button must have been held down for long enough ( 3 seconds) to activate the lock. To undo this function, simply depress the menu/ok button again and hold for 3 secs. Incidentally there's quite an interesting discussion here -http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.php/topic/8543-x100s-disablelock-command-dial/and generally I've found this forum ( and the DP Review one, here) to be a helpful resource as I've learned how to get the best from my X100s - I recommend it.Happy photo making with your beautiful new camera!! Regards,Dom

I am old school. Twins lens Rollie film shooter. RB-67 user. A shooter 40 plus years. Mainly a Nikon guy, full time. I have the X100s and love it. It took me about a year to figure it out, due to the fact I only shot the camera three times in a year. I use the nikon full time and not much time to look at the settings and figure it out. Now that I had time over this summer to work with the X100s I thing it is a great camera. I thought the Fuji had a tough menu compared to the Nikon. I have five Nikon cameras and just use to the Nikon Menu. Since I had time with the Fuji I love the camera, IQ is good. Focus is OK. I am getting better with it.

I recently bought an X100S. I love it because it feels solid like my old Contax G2 (shame no interchangeable lens) and no fancy menus. I have used it in very low light conditions set at 6400ASA and monochrome. Results like old cafe shots -really have a lovely feel to images.

Anybody who uses "ASA" is OK, in my book! A veteran photographer for sure. I just purchased an X100S for the same reasons you describe. It will be used mostly for low light black & white work. The viewfinder alone sets it above just about anything other than an SLR. I have a hard time being comfortable with arms length shooting, while looking at an LCD. I use my forehead as a low light stabilizer. Always have.

Just bought one, despite the lack of zoom, despite the follow-up 'around the corner', despite the limited auto-focus-modes, actually despite everything. I bought it for everything it does not have.

I love this camera, from the moment I picked it up in the store. Tried a lot of different models, but kept coming back to the X100S. No explosion of buttons on the back, no excessive feature laden menus, no bulky protruding zoom lenses, no auto-intelligent stuff doing what you don't want just as you fully press the shutter....

The diopter adjustment goes from -2 to +1. I have '-1', and just scroll the wheel until I see everything sharp in the viewfinder. The imposed image is somewhere near infinity, so I do not expect reading-glasses to be a problem at all.

Looking at the small black symbol on the neck of the left bottle in comparison to oly pen ep2, oly omd em5 and pentax k5iis, just to find three different examples, makes me ask why this fuji is considered to offer a lot of detail... It's a mess!

You do understand this is a fixed lens camera right...?Your comparison is not only against interchangeable lens cameras, but images taken using some of the better/best lenses available for those cameras...Regardless of the cameras you chose, you are comparing the upper most left corner of the image to assess lens sharpness?? While it would be great if every lens was sharp across the whole frame, most people with photographic experience (specifically lenses/cameras designed to allow some hope of dof) anticipate some softness along the edges of the frame - where the majority of the time that area is already going to be oof anyway so it does not matter 99% of the time.In actuality, if you make your comparison in other areas of the image the X100S is sharper than the better/best lenses used for testing the cameras you 'randomly' selected attempting to belittle the X100S.Overall the industry considers the X100S one of the best high-end compact cameras available - for many reasons.

I find this camera so appealing to my old fashioned taste that I would like to buy it... Therefore my considerations are not aiming to belittle it but to understand if, from the "images that reports" point of view is the camera for me. The fact that this camera has a fixed lens makes me think they decided to chose one of their best lenses, like, let's say a Summicron 35 mm f:2... Just to let the user use it like a Leica and so on... Or not? That is why I thought the comparison with some of the cameras I have choosen was possible... The fact that the industry consider this one of the best examples of its category is not itself sufficient to say that it is superior in performances to what anyone can see studying with attention the photographs of your tests. We all know what industry means sometimes. Any how, I thank you for your replay and for the job you carry on informing us about our "objects of passion".Thank's!

FUJI - I am still in two minds should I buy x100s or interchangeable lens type xe1,xe2 or now the weathersealed xt1 !!. Reviews of x100s is excellent by nearly all. I am from India and my general interest is travel and landscape photography. Will a non weathersealed x100s be difficult to carry around.

I am also trying to decide which X camera to buy. For landscape I would think a wider lens may suit your needs better. You can use the excellent 18-50mm kit lens for both travel and landscape. If it were for street use the X100s is probably the perfect camera since it has the hybrid VF and fixed f/2 lens. I am patiently waiting for the X pro 2 release but if I don't hear something by Christmas I may go for the XE2.

Just wanted to post a note for those considering the X100...there has been much discussion about focus speed and minimum focus distance. Just be sure and update the firmware to the very latest version...helps out significantly!

I've been using the X100s for almost a year now, and I can tell you that the AF system isn't that great outdoors or indoors. It's focus bracket will turn red even in moderate lighting indoors. If you are shooting group pictures, be careful not to place the focus bracket between your subject and the background because it will select the background 90% of the time; I just make sure the focus bracket is totally covered by my subject. If that doesn't bother your, this is an excellent camera because the colors it produces are awesome, even shooting with jpeg. I shoot mostly with the X100s and leave my D800 at home.

Missing the point of this camera. I have this camera already collecting dust, a Nikon D40. Same size, body weight and sensor. So to match the Fuji I could throw the 35mm f1.8 on it, drain the battery at twice the normal rate and pay twice its worth.

The Fuji X100s is very disappointing. I bought this camera to shoot like a digital rangefinder camera. The f/stop ring is nice but works in full stop increments only !!! Where have these Fuji guys been for the last 40 years ? The shutter speed dial is perfect, Bulb, T, and 1/4sec through 1/4000th sec. plus A. Then there is that exposure knob to the right of the shutter speed dial that allow 1/3 f/stops from -2 to +2. Perfect for dialing in that exposure that full stop increments wont give you, except is doesn't work in the manual mode. You have to use that rotating thumb wheel that I hate because if you press it just a tad too much you go into different modes. Fuji had an excellent idea, a digital rangefinder, fixed focal length lens that could have been a perfect digital replacement to a Leica rangefinder of yesteryear - and they screwed it all up. I played with the camera trying to get used to the myriad of options that are all unnecessary. Sent it back.

Hi Ophicleide - I realise that it was not the camera for you but wanted to make 1 point for other people reading this.

If you are working in manual and want increments of aperture - the command dial where your thumb is will jump in 1/3 increments on either side of your current exposure to + or - 1 stop. In spite of your inference - it does not take you into different modes when shooting in manual. If you push it in all the way you cam jump between evf and ovf but the exposure mode is unchanged.

I actually find it a very big improvement over adjusting an aperture ring, especially in ovf - which is quite fiddly.

It is not a digital rangefinder.Only Leica makes those and they handle and perform completely differently.You have confused yourself expecting it to behave like a Leica.It is more analogous to the old Contax G2...

Having 3 Leicas and now my 3rd Fuji in the X100s, I think it is a great camera.

I moved from a D600 to the X100s and for me that works. I also have a Sony RX100 when I need more focal range selection.The X100s viewfinder is great and the 35mm is my favorite focal length.Excellent image quality and it just feels right.

I am considering the Fuji X100S. I have to rely on professional feedback from unbiased photographers. I used to have a Canon 10D , 20D and 5D as my professional cameras and used a small Powershot S45 as my "point and shoot". I was blown away by the accuracy of the S45 exposure metering system but was always disappointed with the 10D, 20D and 5D. I had to shoot in RAW to get good JPEGS. Highlights were always over-exposed. The point and shoot S45 always gave me good exposures in JPEG's, I never needed to use it in RAW ( it did shoot RAW). My wedding photographer friend used an Olympus with a sensor that had two types, one for bright light one for normal. Result was no blown out highlights. Ne never used RAW and the JPEGS were always spot on.

My question is: How is the metering system in the X100S and how does the sensor handle contrast ? I don't want to shoot in RAW all the time.

Just checking some different cameras on this great widget, and saw something strange. On the Bailey's Irish bottle, on the word Irish, some cameras pick up some mottling and some don't. What would cause that? It seems to happen in both RAW and JPEG.

I've now had my X100S for about 2 weeks and have been rotating its use w/ my Panny GX1 and Canon 6D. So, I've been able to do some comps of similar shots. Some thoughts: 1st, I note the painfully slow AF in low light conditions. The GX1's AF does very well in low light; I've owned 2 other m4/3 cameras and they have also had a pretty fast AF.

2) the incredibly noisy images at ISO 3200 and above.

3) the images appear very soft at f2 in low light.

That said, I really enjoy the X100S. I've overcome the slow AF and soft image quality (in part) by switching to manual focus. The manual focus ring is very responsive. I feel like it's just a matter of time/use before I get better at manual focusing.

The ISO problem, however, remains. Is it for daylight/bright interiors only?

The shutter is quiet. The only thing quieter would be an e-shutter or the shutter on the Sony RX1/100. This is the best feature of the camera.

Again another camera that is not CanNik brand and all I can read about, great sensor, color etc but FUNCTIONALITY, the basic mechanic yet again is a failure.How long it would take them (Fuji,Sony,Olyimpus,Panasonic) to come up with product that will not fail within first year? I am not saying that 2 major players did not have horrible cameras on the market but in a much less percentage that all others...I am still waiting for decent compact camera.

@srados Haven't you ever heard never go full retard?! I own this camera and the X100 before and IT is a great camera. Pick it up and take photos. Easy to use, yes a bit soft at f2, but still a great camera. The way you insulted people as you didn't back up your rant with facts, leads me to believe your balls haven't dropped yet. Peace out bro!

I really like it for portraiture. I find though that, even wide open, f2 isn't going to give you that really shallow bokeh effect. It still looks nice, but if that's your angle, get an XPro1 and the new 23mm f1.4

nice review.I have used the X100S and the RX1, both the best 35mm walkabouts at the moment. Both are truely excelelnt and its a matter of personal taste. The main advantage of the RX1 is the sheer cascade of detail. The main advantage of the Fuji is colours and price.Look and handling is really up to the individual.

I used my Fuji X100s mostly as a "MONOCHROME" camera,the X-Trans sensor is excellent for B&W.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------See some exemples : http://my-finepix-x100s.blogspot.com

I received my X100S 4 weeks ago (love the camera) and today I noticed that the viewfinder curtain is stuck. So it is not possible to switch between the Ovf and Evf. It has nothing to do with the macro mode as it is stuck halfway up. Is there anyone that had simular problem?

LOL,still no images with the new test chart that compares lens performance.

Barney, I thought you said that there was extensive testing on this camera and the new test chart images would be following closely.

Don't mean to beat a dead horse, but your review and rating is suspect until you compare lens performance against the other competitors, especially since they were compared to each other in their reviews.

I haven't upgraded my DSLR in years. I own a Canon 5D (original 5D) and it still works wonderfully. If I upgrade it will only be to a used markII, beacause of my budget. But for around the same price I could get the x100s which I would love to have. Unsure whether to upgrade my DSLR or just buy the x100s. Any advice?

Coming from Canon 5D, in my opinion based on previously owning an xe1, you would not be happy. Raw file processing is a drag and the image quality, especially in mixed lighting will yield image quality that will disappoint. I have 2 5dmiis for work and wanted the xe1 as my grab and go.... i was disappointed to sah the least. Gram the eos m and the pancake lens and the ef adapter. The images are outstanding and the video is excellent.

Don't listen to the troll regarding the X100s (He owns a lemon Canon M camera. Maybe he works for Canon?). I use to own the X100 and yes it was buggy, but the X100s is a whole lot better camera. I also use a Nikon D700 & Olympus OM-D, but the the X100s is a such a quiet and fun camera to use.

Keep you dslr for occations you need high speed and telephoto and buy the Fuji x100s. You will be happy with it and you will bring it with you all the time and get superb shots. This has been my choice and I am happy with it. You wont miss the size and the weight of you dslr and you will be surprised how this fixed lens camera fits into most situations. The x100s is a wonderful camera (which also means my dslr stays at home except for special occations).

No Brainer. I have had my 5D mk1 for about 4 years now and 2.5 years ago bought the X100. The 5D does give richer files but the X100 is a little wonder in it's own right. Only real advantage of MkII is more MP but that means bigger files. I say keep the MK 1 (like me) and get the X100s. After a bit of adapting you will be glad you did. Handheld night photography anyone? (but best to have af on af-c). Shoots really good jpgs but I now shoot mainly in Raw ( as with all my cameras).

if there's one thing i wish fujifilm would tweak for the x100s it would be to extend the shadow dynamic range. i always feel there is a fight to prevent clipping blacks, tweaking in post to raise shadows and lower contrast, and somewhat distorting the natural feel of the image

the dynamic range of the original x100 is incredible, the shadow dynamic range is almost 3 stops extended over the x100s, in the s-s mode. now i know why x100 images can look so soft and natural

in the end i'll probably have to just work with a more limited dynamic range, or shoot RAW since RAW images tend to look a lot less clipped in the blacks, but it would be nice if fujifilm could extend shadow DR to levels similar to XE-1

Why don't you just reduce the shadow tones in camera? I shoot with both shadow and high tones set to -1 to give a flatter image and then adjust them in post with a little extra contrast to my taste rather than the camera's.

i do shoot with shadow tones set to -1 or -2, and i still feel the camera clips blacks more than my x10, which has a sensor 1/6 as large. it's clear from the DR test in the x100s review that there is 2 stops less DR in the blacks, compared to the x-e1, x100, x10, etc. in the example images, I can see much more detail on the spools of thread in the shadows, on images from the x-e1

i guess this could be a side effect of phase detect pixels, but x100s images processed from RAW look about the same as the x-e1 (just a slight bit less shadow DR)

it is a little weird that blacks are trimmed so much. i've felt this for a while now, but didn't think i'd eventually learn shadow dynamic range is quite a bit less

Hey where did my post go? I replied to a poster who had questioned the testing method of the X100S in relation to the Nikon A and Ricoh GR and thus the scoring between cameras reviewed.

My reply was something along the lines of; I noticed in the review that dpreview called the Nikon A and Ricoh GR "pretenders" and wondered if dpreview worked a sweet resellers deal with Fuji in order to sell the X100S in the dpreview GearShop.

I must have struck a nerve and considering the very real trust issues dpreview is having with members concerning the GearShop and it's relation to honest reviews going forward I shouldn't be surprised they chose to axe my post.

Hard to be objective, honest and transparent when chasing the almighty dollar.

I don't see how the new Gear Shop has anything to do with anything. You say that DPR can't be "honest and transparent chasing the almighty dollar" because of the Gear Shop? Funny thing is, DPR has been owned by Amazon since 2007. Guess they've just been fudging reviews to push sales there all along but no one ever noticed.

Johnsonj's post is meaningless. It only illustrates his ignorance about the advantages of shooting RAW vs. JPEG.

A knowledgeable photographer will be aware of the advantages/disadvantages of both RAW and JPEG and will select the image file format based on the situation and his/her particular requirements.

Good easily-understandable explanations of the advantages of RAW vs. JPEG can be found at http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/u-raw-files.shtml and http://bythom.com/qadraw.htm.

I own the X100S and a Canon 5D3. The X100S has all but replaced my 5D3 for family outings and candids. It's a wonderful camera with wonderful IQ. If you understand the need for an aperture ring and a shutter speed dial, and being your own judge of exposure, you understand this camera. If you don't, you don't. The only other manufacturer who understands this market segment is Leica. The Gold Award is well deserved.

Any $100-200 compact point & shoot with manual mode can adjust aperture and shutter speed quick enough. Rotate dial, hit one button, rotate dial again. Aperture ring is a bonus sure enough but romance how important it is - not realistic.

Depending on the type of photography you partake in, it can be a real advantage to be able to alter aperture and shutter speed v rapidly. Then there is the joy of using something that is ergonomically 'right'. Finally the IQ produced by your $100-200 compact soon makes sure that the romance with the X100 is back on again!

Felts what about any of the other large sensor compacts/mirrorless like EOS M I mention many times below. Very few times would all aperture and shutter speed and ISO sensitivity need to be changed rapidly. Never in something like pro-level sports from personal experience.

When I worked on the Sony team for the NEX development it was intentional to have the first models with less dials and buttons.

Personally I like to keep my index finger always on the shutter release ready at all times so I have my thumb doing all the settings and off-hand holding the camera. It is not necessarily ideal to be moving your thumb all over the place. It does depend on the photography.

For you it's not important to have an aperture ring, for many it is.Many people have chosen the Fujifilm systems just because there are physical dials and buttons they can use as opposed to some competition.

I shoot in Raw + Jpg constantly. Typically shoot b&w jpg or velvia and can easily just use the jpg ooc. However, sometimes I blow the highlights or do some other silly things and having the RAW allows me to recover it wonderfully. Not using raw seems odd to me - it's the best way for me to ensure I don't screw up a shot I really don't want to screw up.

I mean just look at the file sizes - one obviously has a lot more in it than the other...

You know how many pros shoot JPG these days in in FF DLSRs? RAW editing takes too much time for people with deadlines. Wedding photographers and hobbyists are probably the biggest RAW users. Just don't tell me RAW=PRO and JPG=amateur. JPG is ideal for people who need to spend more time with a camera in their face than a mouse in their hand.

I'm a pro sport photographer and depressingly, its true. Many pros only shoot JPG.

I shoot RAW+JPG on the D4, putting RAW on the XQD card and JPG on the CF. If I desperately need an image immediately for web use, I use the JPG. For print I always use the RAW file. Works like a charm. And I have a contract to supply a sport's hall of fame gallery because nobody else has high enough quality files - so long may people's laziness/stupidity continue.

Thank you Mr. Swarbrick for your useful comments as a working pro. That is exactly how I use the two cards in my 5dm3, with the SD card set to medium jpeg, mainly just as backup to the RAW file, which really must be processed to get the most out of the photo. 14 bits vs. 8, just so much more leeway for adjustment.

mpgxsvcd...you're making a mountain out of an anthill. You read somewhere that a tiny bit of noise reduction is present in the "raw" file and *you* conclude it's no longer a true raw file. Utter non-sense. All the more so, since you probably don't own a X Trans cam.

Reading posts like this, is quickly reminding me why I stopped coming to dpreview. Just too much BS to sift through to find even common sense discussions.

@mpgxsvcd actually that's incorrect. No noise reduction is applied to RAW. If you process in camera or through ACR/LR you'll see what looks like loss of detail due to noise reduction. That doesn't happen if you use other RAW converters. See some links to images I processed through aperture below...

At base ISO I really couldn't see how this camera had any better image quality than the Olympus OMD. If you stick the excellent Panasonic 20mm F1.7 lens on the Olympus or the upcoming Panasonic GX7 you would have the same image quality(or Better) for about the same price.

The biggest difference is that you could also then have an interchangeable lens camera. I don't think that the X100S is a bad camera. I just think that the fixed lens compact category offers no benefit over an interchangeable lens compact camera.

Fair enough, but as a user of both I would say the image quality is better overall with the X100S. The point where the E-M5 might win is at F2 because the X100S is soft at that aperture.

As others have pointed out, the high speed flash sync is incredibly useful. Combine that with output from the X-trans APS-C sensor that not only exceeds the Sony 16mp M43s sensor but most other APS-C sensors, faster AF (than an E-M5 with the Panny 20mm mounted) an OVF and some incredibly intuitive controls and the shooting experience plus image quality makes for an incredibly satisfying camera.

Sure, they could use F1.4 but the price would be doubled. I own both x100s and OMD. While I love them both, I can strongly vouch for the image quality of the X100s to be better than OMD with any lens. OMD images are slightly clearer but where it looses is the Color matrix and the dynamic range. X100s has that silky smooth pleasing look that is just absent from OMD.

It looks like a good camera in a niche market. If you are shopping for a camera in this market I am sure you would give this camera a nice long look.

That is pretty much the definition of the Gold award. I camera that excels in its particular category. If they only gave the gold awards to the absolute best performing cameras then the only cameras that would get the gold awards would be ones that most of us couldn't afford.

I would never buy this camera because I need a lot more flexibility than it can offer. However, I definitely would recommend that other people who need this particular type of camera look at it.

Seems to be a lot of conversation about the "Gold Award" status. Through the reviews here you can learn a great deal about various cameras. My personal belief is the various ratings are meaningless. This site has one underlying principal and that is commerce. Without it the site would not be supporting itself. Read the conclusion again if you think otherwise.

Seems like a nice camera, I won't be buying it I have five cameras already.

Ι find it extremely difficult to see the use of these cams anyway...All these about street photography which needs some peculiar cams is IMO rather a philology.Street photography as a term/art does not need a certain cam with certain abilities or whatsoever, just something handy and reliable, top IQ is not its main quest.The only positive thing in these cams is that they explore miniaturization.

Ya... completely agree with you.. I find the mobile camera best for capturing street (if considering the size) but if things like AF speed, image quality and controls come - the mobile cannot do well and heres where this kinda device is more handy than a Bulky gadget which makes your subject more aware and you have to carry weight all the time. taking out and making a DSLR ready also takes time and grabs others attention, so for that this kind of device or even a mobile is better for capturing street and candid

Cameras actually DO need certain features for optimal street. Prefocus abilities, auto low limits for shutter speeds, bigger than the frame viewfinders, etc. Many street photographers find one or more of these mandatory for their process. You will be surprised how many otherwise excellent and ergonomic cameras can't be prefocused which makes them useless for hip or waist level shooting.

Dotes, which one don't have have manual shooting mode or manual focus out of the ones with a good sensor size and image quality? That is the ability to set low limits of shutter and pre-focus. How would you need it as a unique and highlighted function separate from these common modes?

Take the Sony NEX series as an example. There are NO distance scales on the E-mount lenses, not even on the Zeiss e-mount lenses. And there is NO electronic distance scale in software (Fuji's do have one). This means you can't set focus to a predetermined distance, a feature which is needed for shooting without looking at the screen or through the viewfinder, i. e. for waist or hip shooting. Manual focus is not the same as distance pre-focus. Manual focus can't help you if you are not looking thorugh the viewfinder/screen.

The only way to use a NEX camera as a zone focus camera is to use adapted lenses with distance scales on them.

How is manually setting focus for a distance not the same as pre-focusing for a certain distance? Does not make sense. No matter what terms you use - set the camera for a distance using auto focus or manual focus, keep on manual focus, shoot when subject is that distance. You don't need distance scale on camera or the lens to do it.

It takes a lot more accuracy to do it with sports back in the days of no AF using telephoto lenses and large aperture than it does street shooting from the hip - nobody would use a distance scale for this but manually focus it first. Scales are never perfectly accurate and there were no laser range finders.

Sum it up - any camera with manual focus can be pre-focused or zone focused within 5 seconds time.

I don't think you truly understand the problem. You don't have 5 seconds to pre-focus when out on the streets. Distance calibation should be possible to accomplish in a moment, whenever I want, preferably without the need to raise the camera to my face.

Besides, there is not always an object available around you at the required distance so that you use it to AF/manual prefocus. So, on top of raising the camera to eye level, you need to move around to get something in this distance. No, thanks. I'll just stick to manual focus lenses with scales.

It's a great camera for the street but don't undermine it's ability for anything else that you might like to do. It has a stellar image quality and amazing color matrix only Fuji knows how to produce. Anything you picture with this just looks stunning if you know what you are doing. NEX series doesn't even come close to the quality. I have owned NEX and it pretty much sucked. This is the 1st time the image quality of an APS-C sensor looked better than Full-Frame. I rest my case.